Transportable stage



March Z1, 1944. w; PoDoLlN 2,344,726 TRASPRTABLE STAGE Filed Feb. 11. 1942 QTTURNEK Patented Mar. 21, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in transportable stages, and constitutes a further development of my idea as embodied in Design Patent No. 100,924, issued August 18, 1936.

My said invention is useful for various purposes and activities, such as out-door theatrical performances, speaking tours, demonstrations, etc.; and it may at the present time especially serve a purpose with respect to entertainments to be given in soldiers camps by artists traveling between such camps.

The invention may be applied to trucks, or trailers, or it may be embodied in an aeroplane or a ship under certain conditions.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of the novel features of construction, comb-ination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, and in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a movable stage in an inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a similar View as Figure l, with the stage extended and in operative position.

Figure 3 is a sectional View of Figure 2 on the line 3-3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing; as shown in Figure 1 the movable stage I5 consists of two units, namely, the motive power unit or truck i6, and the trailer portion I7 identied with the stage portion. The trailer I1 is preferably of a telescoping construction, having the rear part I8 overlapping the front part i9.

In its preferred construction, the trailer stagell is divided into three main sections, namely, a compartment 20, the stage proper 2 I, and another compartment 22; and in this particular embodiment of my invention the arrangement of these three units is shown as having the stage 2| in the center, and each of the two compartments and 22 on each side of the stage.

It is understood that the compartments 20 and 22 may be subdivided to provide a plurality of dressing rooms, washroom, toilet facilities of the so-called pullman style, storage, etc.

When in its extended position, as shown in the Figures 2 and 3, the front door 25 is let down until it rests on a plurality of supports 26. This door is preferably hinged as at 2l, and has a folded over portion 28 hinged as at 29 to take up the diiference n length of the retracted or expanded stage portion. The front door and 28 may be provided with conventional foot lights 32.

The stage proper is provided with props or back drops 35, and side-wings 36, conventional to stages of this kind. Longitudinal ceiling props (Cl. 2li-1.123)

31 may be provided to hide the conventional top lighting, pulleys, ropes, etc., incidental to stage work.

The motor truck portion I6 may be detached 5 from the stage portion Il and preferably placed in the back of the stage in case it is desired to use such truck i6 as a power plant for supplying the electric lighting current. Supports 38 are preferably placed underneath the stage portion Il, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

The gures from 1 to 3, inclusive, illustrate a stage which can be enlarged for operation purposes by utilizing a telescoping construction. In this instance the greater portion of the side of the truck is opened for said stage purposes; and in this case the side covers 25 and 28 are dropped down to provide an extension of the stage floor, while the top cover 39 may be moved upward on its hinges 40 into a horizontal position, thereby providing an extension of the roof over the extended licor.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts, as shown, within the scope of the ap- 25 pended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not, therefore, wish to limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement shown and described herein.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A truck unit, embodying a transportable stage, and comprising a horizontally, longitudinally telescoping body, whereby to enlarge the size of said stage, one side of said unit consisting of two sections adapted to be opened outwardly, the smaller one of said sections being hinged at its upper edge to be swung upwardly into a horizontal position, whereby to form an extension roof, the lower and larger one of said sections being hinged at its bottom to be swung downwardly into a horizontal position, whereby to form the front portion of a stage, ya. small, substantially square section hinged upon said lower section and foldable upon the latter, said small section being adapted to be swung into a lateral position forming an extension of said lower section, when the telescoping unit is in an extended position, and foot lights arranged upon the upper surface of said latter two extensions, and near the outer edges of these, when in let down position.

2. In a device, as claimed in claim 1, and wherein a compartment is arranged at each end of the stage proper.

3. In a device, as claimed in claim 1, and wherein means are arranged for the support of the stage sections, when in let down position.

WILLIAM PODOLIN. 

